Can you do it? I recognize that it doesn't make too much sense conceptually, but I'm more concerned about the technical RAW.
I see nothing that should prevent you from doing that, do you?
Technically I'd say it is impossible. You can fight defensively as a standard action action, or as an full-attack action.
A charge, being a specific full-round action is neither, thus not compatible with fighting defensivly.
Though RAW isn't bullet-proof, granted that it writes:
You can choose to fight defensively when taking a full-attack action. If you do so, you take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.
So the header states full-round action: 1 point towards charge.
However the text writes full-attack action, plus the section is a part of the full-attack rules: 2 points against.
Even assuming that charging while fighting defensively is technically allowable, doing so is more or less pointless.
You get a +2 on your attack from the charge, but a -4 for fighting defensively. Overall you'd take a -2 penalty on the attack.
You get a -2 on your AC from the charge, but a +2 from fighting defensively. Overall your AC stays the same as normal.
I suppose if you have enough ranks in Acrobatics you could net an additional +1 AC, but it hardly seems worth it.
And when would you want to do such a thing anyway? I mean, if something is scary enough that you want to fight defensively, why are you also trying to get close to it via a charge?
Crane Style/Wing/Riposte feat tree, I would imagine: Your penalty drops to -1 for fighting defensively, for a net +1, a -2 to AC but (with Acrobatics) +4 to AC hence a net +2 to AC, plus you get to deflect one attack per round and make an extra strike.
Not only do you get two attacks instead of one, you deflect one attack and get a bonus to AC. Very useful if you are charging something that is ready to full-attack you into chutney if you try charging it.
However, as charging is a full round action, and fighting defensively is a full round action, you cannot do both. You could use combat expertise while charging, though.
And when would you want to do such a thing anyway? I mean, if something is scary enough that you want to fight defensively, why are you also trying to get close to it via a charge?
The main benefit would be that you could move double your speed and still attack.
Flavorwise, you could imagine it as running towards your opponent with your shield (or your weapons) raised above and covering your head.
The main benefit would be that you could move double your speed and still attack.
The other main benefit of charging is that you don't provoke attacks of opportunity from the thing you're charging at, even if they've got reach.
The other main benefit of charging is that you don't provoke attacks of opportunity from the thing you're charging at, even if they've got reach.
Where does it say that?
EDIT: Nevermind found it. Wow didn't realize that before.
EDIT2: Wait, now I'm not sure. I looked at the combat chart that said what does and doesn't provoke, it says Charge: No. I took that to mean it didn't, then at the bottom it says "Regardless of the action, if you move out of a threatened square, you usually provoke an attack of opportunity. This column indicates whether the action itself, not moving, provokes an attack of opportunity."
If you charge a creature with reach, you move out of a threatened square. Does it say it doesn't provoke somewhere else?
The main benefit would be that you could move double your speed and still attack.The other main benefit of charging is that you don't provoke attacks of opportunity from the thing you're charging at, even if they've got reach.
Ummm... no. If they have reach you still provoke on a charge. As the chart says, the action itself doesn't provoke, but the movement still does.
That's how I have always played it, or there is no point having longspears against cavalry.